There is nothing like DOING, to learn.
What I've learned from running writers' groups is how often the problems writers face don't come from lack of ability but from lack of support. There are a few blessed souls out there who don't need external support and positive feedback to keep their confidence high, but for many, many people the lack of these two key factors can lead to crippling self-doubt.
A writing group takes time to develop, but it offers amazing benefits for those who stick out the formative stages. Like any group, a writing group starts with separate individuals who come together hoping to gain something from each other. They're all in the same boat, as the saying goes, and they hope that rowing together will pull them out of the doldrums and into the fast lane.
Of course, since they don't know each other, everyone tends to be tentative at first. So it's the leader's job, in the beginning, to help them feel more comfortable and identify the strengths they bring to the group--for themselves and each other. There are a lot of different and enjoyable ways to do that, and it's generally a great relief for group members to realize (and get the feedback that others realize) how many areas of significant strength they can draw on to reach their goals.
Much of the research in Positive Psychology shows that focusing on strengths rather than trying to remedy weaknesses leads to better results when one is an adult. This is a new concept for a lot of people.
The evolution of disparate individuals into a group is a fascinating process for the members as well as the leader. The benefits that accrue from it are sometimes unexpected. I'll describe this in more detail in another post.
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